Soon To Be 3rd Gen Owner

Hey, guys! I haven't frequent this forum in a very long time because I really lost interest in doing anything to my truck. A few months ago I decided to get in the market for a new truck since mine is starting to get old. Today I went to the dealership and checked out a 17 TRD Off Road 4x4 with the Premium & Technology Package. Since I've been out the game for a while, anything I need to look out for when it comes to these 3rd Gens? Hows the new Engine and Transmission holding up compared to the last generation?

 

Solid 3,406th post.

Get a manual if you can drive three pedals and 90% of the complaints are gone.

 

Step your game up.

 

I was going to link a post where someone recently listed all 3rd gen issues, but either it got deleted or I just cant find it. Sorry.

On the other hand, I love my 3rd gen, I did come across some issues which seem to come and go, such as unusual brake vibrations when coming to a stop (which some claim it to be due to the brake booster and is a normal thing) another mystery is a light rear clunk that also happens when coming to a stop. Other than that, its been great.

My only minor caveats are poor gas mileage (you'd think in this day and age we'd be getting better gas mileage even with a truck - I've been getting on average 18mpg driving like a granny with 93 octane fuel - I even installed the front air dam) and low power/torque. But you cant have it all I guess.

Update: ah, found the link, check it out:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-tacoma-areas-of-concern-listed.470778/

 

Amazingly that list doesn't mention the constantly shifting automatic trans.

To the OP:

Take it on a long test drive if possible and drive it on roads you frequent.

The automatic trans will downshift at the faintest hint of an incline or headwind and some find it frustrating to say the least.

I still haven't bought one because every one I have driven shifted like the mechanical equivalent of a drunk staggering through a bar (I live in a hilly area)

When Toyota gets it right I will have one.

Like mentioned above, get the manual if you can find one and can drive one and the biggest area of complaint goes away.

 

get the MT and live the good life if you can get along with rowing your own.

 

Get the manual.

 

To the OP for the people that said the automatic WILL downshift at the slightest hill are incorrect. I have a automatic and live in the foothills/mountains. Mine holds a gear great when pulling up a hill so it is not every truck that has that issue. Infact i was impressed with how it held gears compared to my chevy 1500. Then i came on here and started seeing all the "issues" with the trans. Literally had me second guessing myself everytime i drove the truck. So I learned to not pay attention to the "problem" threads on here and i havent had any issues. Hell i even have 285s now and have been carrying a rtt around and still dont have the downshift issues..not saying people dont have the problem but it needs to be clearified that every truck doesnt have that problem.

 

Get the manual either OR or Sport.... very fun to drive! Only difference is the locker for the rear... the Sport doesn't have it but its got a skewp. I haven't needed to use the locker yet! Good thing cause I don't have one!

 

Get the Sport....at least you will enjoy the "Skewp" everytime you drive it... the crawly thing will get you into trouble if you think it will save yer ass..!! The locker will make you want to go "deeper"... then the "crawly" thing will mess up cuz it ain't loose sand like in the commercials...hehe LOL

 

I have tested 4 and all of them had a transmission that was more indecisive than my wife picking a restaurant.

 

Get rid of the wife and enjoy your "tranny"...hehehe LOL

 

That's Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The one I drove was like that, it was quite unnerving how much it constantly up and down shifted.

 

SO true isn't it....my wife and I constantly. Every fucking night. She also pulls the "What do you want to eat honey, I'll make whatever you want" which is no different from her being indecisive about dinner. Because I can list three things I want and she'll still grimace and not want them. So I throw her a curve ball and say "I'll just have leftovers" or "I'll just have a turkey sandwich" because she always hates when I do that.

 

Typical banter between us:

Me: Where do you want to go?

Her: Anywhere is fine

Me: How about (Insert ANY restaurant here, it doesn't matter which one)

Her: No, anywhere besides there

Me:

Heh, I guess it could accurately be referred to as a "tranny" as none of them knew what gear they wanted to be in

 

Actually no, it sucks for Toyota as they totally blew a sale.

 

It sucks for him that he didn't buy and get stuck with a truck that performs like a piece of shit? No. It worked out just the way it should. He test drove and decided the truck did not meet his standards.

 

Damn, I bet Toyota is going to claim bankruptcy now. You totally showed them!